Having slow or spotty WiFi in parts of your home can be frustrating. Buying a commercial WiFi extender can help, but these devices can be expensive. Luckily, with just a few common household items, you can build your own DIY WiFi extender to boost your WiFi signal to underserved areas.
What is a WiFi Extender and How Does it Work?
A WiFi extender, also known as a wireless repeater, helps boost your existing WiFi signal to reach further throughout your home. It works by receiving the wireless signal from your main router or access point, then rebroadcasting and amplifying the signal to create a stronger secondary network.
WiFi extenders work by using the following process:
- The extender connects to your existing wireless network, just like any other client device would.
- It captures the WiFi signal coming from your router.
- It amplifies the signal and then rebroadcasts it on a different channel or frequency. This avoids interference with the main network.
- Devices can now connect to the extended network created by the extender to access the internet. The extender bridges the connection between your devices and the main router.
So in summary, a WiFi extender takes your router's weak signal from one area and amplifies it to create a whole new strong signal in another area.
Benefits of a DIY WiFi Extender
Building your own WiFi extender has several advantages:
- It's inexpensive. DIY extenders use common materials you likely already have at home. Commercial extenders can cost $50 or more.
- It's customizable. You can tweak a DIY design to work exactly how you need it to.
- Educational experience. You'll learn useful WiFi and networking knowledge.
- Works with any router. A DIY extender is compatible with any wireless router or modem/router combo unit.
What You'll Need
Let's go over what household materials are needed to build a simple DIY WiFi extender:
- A second wireless router - This will act as the extender to boost your main router's WiFi signal. It should be a retired or spare router you have on hand.
- Ethernet cable - Use an Ethernet cable that's long enough to run from your main router to where you want to place the extender.
- Identical empty cans - Metal coffee cans or soup cans work well. You'll need 2-4 matching cans.
- Thumbtacks - To poke holes in the cans for running string through.
- ** String/twine** - For connecting and positioning the cans to direct the signal.
That's it! With just these basic supplies, you can build your own functional WiFi extender.
How to Build the DIY WiFi Extender
Building the WiFi extender using household items is a quick and easy project. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Configure the Second Router as a Repeater
First, access your spare or old wireless router's settings through a web browser. Navigate to the basic wireless settings, and turn off DHCP. This will prevent it from acting as the main router.
Then, find the setting to convert the router to "repeater", "extender" or "bridge" mode. This configures the router to simply extend the existing WiFi signal.
Step 2: Position the Router Near the Main Router
Place the second wireless router you want to use as the extender in an area that receives a good WiFi signal from your main router. This is typically halfway between the main router and the WiFi dead zone.
Use the router's web interface to see the signal strength reading from the main router's network. Pick a spot with at least 2-3 bars of signal strength.
Step 3: Connect the Two Routers with Ethernet Cable
Run an Ethernet cable from the LAN port on your main router to one of the LAN ports on the repeater router. This will allow the two routers to communicate and relay the WAN internet connection.
Step 4: Set Up the Directional Antennas
Now for the fun part - setting up the DIY tin can directional WiFi antennas!
Start by poking holes on opposite sides of two to four empty metal cans. Make sure all cans match in size and shape.
Thread string through the holes to create a loop on each can. Make the string long enough to change the position and angle of the cans.
Attach the loops to the antennas sticking out of the back of the repeater router. Spread out the cans in different directions to aim the signal.
Step 5: Find the Optimal Position
With everything connected, it's time to find the ideal position for your extender setup.
Slowly move the repeater router and attached cans around until you achieve the absolute strongest WiFi signal reading within the room you want to extend range to.
UseReal time signal monitoring in the router's web interface to properly position the DIY extended antennas. Pointing them in different directions can make a big difference.
Once you find the optimal location and antenna direction, your DIY WiFi extender is complete! Enjoy boosted WiFi coverage in previously unreachable areas.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips in case your DIY WiFi extender isn't working properly:
- Double check that DHCP is disabled on the second router. Having two active DHCP servers will cause connectivity issues.
- Ensure the routers are within range of each other to pick up the WAN connection over Ethernet.
- Try adjusting the position and angle of the tin can antennas to improve signal strength.
- Update router firmware on both the main and repeater units for compatibility.
- Factory reset the repeater router and reconfigure it step-by-step as an extender.
With a little tweaking, you should be able to get your homemade WiFi extender boosting your wireless signal in no time. Have fun Experimenting for optimal range!